“What about you and me? We can retreat if we want. Let our hearts grow hard, our faith grow cold. Hibernate. Hide out. God dark. Stay quiet. Or we can see our challenge as an opportunity to join God in his work.”- Max Lucado
“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”- Esther 4:16 (NIV)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 5 of Made for This Moment with the second of Mordecai’s starchy observations.
2. Relief is coming. Esther’s response to Mordecai represents the turning point in her development. Hence, Hadassah’s faith merges with the authority of the crown. As a result, Esther issues a command (in the imperative) to Mordecai (Esther 4:16). Thus, resolve replaces her passivity. And the beauty queen transforms into a woman of God. As a result, she sets her mind on leading her people through a crisis.
Furthermore, Max exhorts, like Esther, God made you for this moment. Certainly, you want to get past that struggle you never asked for. But God is in this and place you on this planet in this generation. So, Max offers these words of hope:
“What if you, like Esther, have an opportunity to act in a way that will bless more people than you can imagine? This is your hour . . . your moment. You were made to stand up like Mordecai, to speak up like Esther. Deliverance will come. God will have his victory. . . . The question is not, Will God prevail? The question is, Will you be part of the team?”
In conclusion, Max observes, your life intersects with opportunities to come alongside the work of God. To participate in holy work. Therefore, may God help all of us to be a part of it!
Today’s question: When do you feel tempted to retreat or hibernate rather than join God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Weather this winter – have what it takes?”